Objective:To report the clinical manifestations and management of infectious spondylitis following vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.Methods:Six cases of infectious spondylitis following vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty were analyzed retrospectively which had been treated at Department of Spinal Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2014 and June 2019. They were 2 males and 4 females, aged from 64 to 81 years. Their visual analogue scale (VAS) scores ranged from 6 to 8 points; their spinal cord function was graded as C in 2 cases and E in 4 according to the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) grading. All the patients were treated by sub-total resection of the infected vertebra, long segmental pedicle screw fixation and corresponding antibiotics therapy. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by the inflammation indexes, imaging examinations and clinical manifestations.Results:The 6 patients were followed up for 12 to 42 months(mean 20.4 months). Their operation time ranged from 295 to 455 min (mean 370.8 min) and blood loss from 760 to 2, 250 mL (mean 1 536.7 mL). There were no such serious complications as dural tear, worsening of neurological symptoms or death. The last follow-up revealed normal body temperature and fine incision healing in all patients. Their inflammatory indexes returned to normal. Imaging examinations at the last follow-up showed no displacement of internal implants, no screw loosening or breakage of screws or rods, good bony fusion at the grafting site, and no inflammatory signals from the infected vertebra. At the last follow-up, their VAS for back pain ranged from 2 to 4 points, the ASIA grading was improved from C to D in 2 patients and maintained E in 4. Eventually, 4 patients recovered independent normal walking but 2 required a walker.Conclusions:Infectious spondylitis following vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty can lead to back pain and neurological dysfunction. Sub-total resection of the infected vertebra, long segmental pedicle screw fixation and corresponding antibiotics therapy can result in fine therapeutic outcomes.

Objective:To establish the HPLC fingerprint of Prunella Species from different places and evaluate it by cluster analysis.Methods:The analysis method of HPLC ngerprint was established.Alltima C18(4.6mm?250mm,5?m) was utilized for separation.The mobile phase consisted of methanol(A) and 0.5% glacial acetic acid(B) with a ow-rate of 1.0ml/min.The detection wavelength was 280nm and the injection volume was 20?l.The column temperature was 30℃.The HPLC ngerprints of Prunella Species from three di erent places were determined and analyzed by SPSS.Results:There is a big di erence among ngerprints of Prunella from di erent places.Prunella from Hubei,Anhui,Jiangxi,Guizhou,Guangxi,Sichuan were divided into a class;Henan,Jiangsu,Zhejiang were divided into another class.Conclusion:the eatsblished ngerprint showed characteristics of Prunella Species from di erent places obviously,and the attribute of Prunella Species can be distinguished e ectively by cluster analysis method.

Objective To explore the function of fluorescent probe JC-1 in detecting the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(△?m)in early apoptotic cells.Methods After 2-ME was used to induce MUTZ-1 cell apoptosis,cells were dyed with fluorescent probe JC-1,and then the changes of △?m in the early stage of apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry or detected under fluorescent microscope. Results The control cells with high △?m are those forming JC-1 aggregates in the inner membrane of mitochondria,thus showing orange-red fluorescence.2-ME caused decrease of △?m in MUTZ-1 cells,in which JC-1 maintains monomeric form,thus showing only green fluorescence.The decreases of △?m were in a time-dependent manner,which were significantly higher than those in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the influences of quercetin (Que) on the contraction of small intestine smooth muscle of rabbits in vitro and explore the mechanism.

METHODSWith the isothermal perfusion of small intestine in vitro. The influences of quercetin on the spontaneous contraction of small intestine and contraction induced by Ach, histamine and Bacl2 were observed and the mechanism of quercetin was studied.

RESULTSQuercetin reduced the tension of contraction of small intestine smooth muscle in rabbits in a dose-depended manner. Quercetin could completely block the contraction of Bay K8644. Heparin could also block the inhibition of quercetin on small intestine smooth muscle but ruthenium red (RR) had no effect on the relaxation of quercetin. Nitro-L-arginine methylester(L-NAME) inhibited the relaxation of quercetin.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin inhibits the contraction of small intestine smooth muscle of rabbits in vitro. The mechanism may be related to increase NO concentration in small intestine smooth muscle so that it inhibits extracellular Ca2+ inflowing via cell membrane. And quercetin has effect on intracellular Ca2+ releasing via IP3 of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestine, Small ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; metabolism

The epigenetic changes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC )are considered to be the main molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis ,including DNA methylation ,histone modification ,microRNA change ,and so on.DNA methyltransferases(DNMTs)catalyze the occurrence of DNA methylation.DNA methylation changes are mani-fested in the overall low methylation of the genome and the high methylation of specific sites ,which were involved in the de-velopment of ccRCC by affecting the expression of tumor suppressor genes.Due to histone-modified enzyme involvement ,histone modification is shown as possible genetic reversal.MicroRNA plays an important role in the abnormal expression of ccRCC genes.With the studies of epigenetic mechanism and molecular pathology ,it is important to explore the mechanisms and to seek effective early diagnosis ,treatment and prognosis intervention of ccRCC.

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on stroke.

METHODSForty-seven cases of stroke were treated with electroacupuncture at the motor region of the scalp and divided into 2 Hz, 2/15 Hz and 100 Hz groups according to the used frequency. Cerebral blood perfusion and brain functions before and during electroacupuncture in the 3 groups were investigated with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

RESULTSLocal cerebral blood perfusion and brain cell functions could be improved by electroacupuncture of the 3 frequencies, and the actions of 2/15 Hz and 100 Hz were better.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture of 2/15 Hz and 100 Hz has a better therapeutic effect on stroke when the stimulating intensity is fixed.

Brain ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena ; Stroke ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Objective: To study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis (mainly early stage) in vitro. Methods: SW1990 cells line were trea ted with As2O3 at different concentration. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and apoptosis by Annexin-Ⅴ-fluostaining, electron-microscopy, flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: As2O3 and cisplatin had the same cytotoxity on SW1990. The cytotoxic effe ct on tumor cell was produced by induction of apoptosis. Twelve hours after cult ure with 10 μg/ml As2O3, much more SW1990 cells went into apoptosis than t he control. The apoptosis rate reached 24% after 48 h with the similar concentra tion of As2O3. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the expression of Bcl -2 was decreased after treated with As2O3. Conclusion: As 2O3 can depress the proliferation of SW1990 in vitro, mainly through the i nduction of apoptosis, and it is a potential agent for pancreatic cancer chemoth erapy.

Objective To assess the impact of the virus on the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) length diversity of T cell receptor(TCR) Vβ repertoires of CD4+ T lymphocytes and to explore its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection. Methods The TCR repertoire was examined using spectratyping of CDR3 length diversity within CD4+ T cells in HIV infected and healthy adults. Separation of CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMCs) was carried out by using immunomagnetic beads coated with anti-CD4 antibody. Total RNAs from the purified CD4 + T lymphocytes were isolated and used to perform nested-PCR amplifications in CDR3 of 22 TCR gene families. CDR3 diversity and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection were analyzed. Results An average diversity for all CDR3 profiles in CD4+ T cells from 25 HIV-infected individuals was significantly different as compared to 10 age-matched healthy donors (P＜0.05) with the HIV-infected individuals losing diversity in the CDR3 profiles. There was positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and viral load (r = 0. 494, P ＜ 0. 05). The changes in CDR3 length diversity of Vβ families in HIV-infected individuals, particular in Vβ8, Vβ22, Vβ23 were statistically different from the healthy controls. Conclusion HIV-1 infection might induce the loss of TCR Vp repertoire diversity and disrupt the CDR3 Gaussian distributions within CD4 + T cells. There should be positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and the viral load in HIV-1 infected patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how Zuogui pills from the Kidney-tonifying and Nourishing Yin formula, in combination with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix, affected the ovarian local oxidative stress response in decreasing ovarian reserve (DOR) mice. All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by Jinan University's Experimental Animal Management Committee. Cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated DOR mice were given Zuogui pills, cetrorelix, or a combination of the two drugs intragastrically. After treatment, there were changes in the estrous cycle, serum sex hormone levels, oxidative stress-related indexes, growth biochemical factor levels, and SIRT1/P53/P21 expression. In comparison to the model group, the Zuogui pills and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had significantly prolonged estrous periods and shortened interestrous periods, and the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group had a significantly shortened cycle length. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and estradiol (E₂) increased in all treatment groups compared to the model group, oxidative stress indexes nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased, growth biochemical factors brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) concentrations increased significantly, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) showed no significant change. SIRT1/P53/P21 immunohistochemical results revealed that, when compared to the model group, the expression of SIRT1 increased while the expression of P53 and P21 proteins decreased in all treatment groups, with the cetrorelix+Zuogui pills group having the largest decrease, with significant differences in all indicators. We conclude that cetrorelix combined with Zuogui pills for kidney nourishing and Yin recipe improved the oxidative stress response in the follicle by regulating the SIRT1/P53/P21 pathway, reducing peroxide product production, protecting ovarian function, and regulating ovarian hormone secretion, and its efficacy is superior to that of cetrorelix or Zuogui pills alone.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of cervical anterior approach atlantodentoplasty for the treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated with bony abnormality of atlanto-dental joint.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted to study the clinical data of 31 patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated with bony abnormality of atlanto-dental joint, including 7 males and 24 females; age ranged from 23 to 74 years, with an average of 49.0±12.0 years. All patients underwent cervical anterior approach soft tissue release, atlantodentoplasty and one-stage posterior occipito-cervical fixation and fusion. Twenty-one patients with atlantodental osteoarthritis underwent simplex atlantodental osteophyte resection, 5 patients with anterior tubercle hypertrophy of atlas and 5 patients with anterior tubercle hypertrophy of atlas and atlantodental osteoarthritis underwent atlantodental osteophyte resection and partial anterior tubercle resection. The operation time and blood loss of anterior procedure and total procedure were recorded. The anterior tubercle thickness (ATT), the atlantodental interval (ADI)were recorded before and 1 week after the operation. The available space of the cord (SAC), clivus-canal angle (CCA), cervicomedullaryangle (CMA), and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were recorded before the operation, 1 week, 3 months and 12 months after the operation, and at the last follow-up. The JOA improvement rate at the last follow-up was calculated, the time of postoperative bone graft fusion was recorded, and the complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-60 months, with an average of 34.5±13.8 months. The operation time of anterior cervical atlantodentoplasty was 120.9±15.9 min, and the overall operation time was 315.1±31.4 min; The blood loss of anterior procedure was 101.2±31.2 ml, and that of overall procedure was 372.7±56.0 ml. The one week postoperative ATT (7.4±1.6 mm) of patients with anterior tubercle partial resection of atlas was lower than that before operation 10.8±1.5 mm ( t=4.94, P=0.001). The one week postoperative ADI 0.9±1.2 mm decreased compared with the preoperative ADI 8.3±2.2 mm ( t=17.91, P<0.001). The preoperative SAC was 10.4±2.8 mm, which increased to 19.2±3.6 mm one week after operation and 19.4±3.7 mm ( F=41.31, P<0.001) at last follow-up. The preoperative CCA was 119.4°±17.9°, which increased to 142.6°±13.0° one week after operation and 141.6°±12.2° ( F=35.86, P<0.001) at last follow-up. The preoperative CMA was 121.7°±14.1°, which increased to 148.9°±9.4° one week after operation and 149.4°±9.0° ( F=52.07, P<0.001) at last follow-up. The preoperative JOA score was 12.0±2.6, which was 14.3±1.3 one week after operation and 15.9±1.0 ( F=23.81, P<0.001) at last follow-up. JOA improvement rate was 78.9%±17.1%, while 23 cases were excellent (74.2%), 8 cases were good (25.8%), and the excellent and good rate was 100%; Thd fusion time of grafted bone was 5.7±1.5 months with the fusion rate of 100%; There were 12 patients with dysphagia after operation, all of which relieved spontaneously 5-10 days after operation; There were 3 cases of irritating choking after drinking or eating, and 2 cases were gradually alleviated 3-5 days after operation. One case was complicated with aspiration pneumonia due to stubborn choking, which gradually alleviated after 1 month of nasal feeding. No hardware failure or reduction loss, no serious complications such as esophageal injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, incision infection or vertebral artery injury occurred. Conclusion:Cervical anterior approach atlantodentoplasty for the treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated with bony abnormality of atlanto-dental joint can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint, and the clinical effect is satisfactory.